Renault Rafale: The Coupe, SUV That Thinks It’s a Jet
You can’t name a car “Rafale” and expect it to blend in quietly. The reference to the Caudron, Renault Rafale aircraft, a high, speed machine from the 1930s, makes the intention clear, this SUV is supposed to be sleek, fast, and technically advanced. Visually, Renault has given it the sharp creases and low, sloping roofline to sell the coupe image. At 4.71 meters long, it’s sizeable, but the curves disguise the bulk well.
The first few minutes behind the wheel, as we rolled out from the base of Merkur mountain, I was still digesting the aesthetics: the transparent honeycomb grille shimmering with a blue glow, the kinked LED DRLs that cut sharply across the fascia, and the sculpted sides that looked chiseled rather than stamped. It’s assertive without being brash.
A Cabin That Mixes Modern With Odd
Sliding into the Rafale’s interior feels like stepping into an executive lounge, with a few quirks. The panoramic glass roof dominates the cabin, and when I said “Hey Google, dim the roof,” I watched as the sunlight filtered down to a moody glow. Renault’s use of liquid crystal tech here is straight out of a sci, fi movie. No blinds, no hassle.
The dashboard design is modern but oddly busy. The vertically stacked 12, inch touchscreen is the main control hub, which is intuitive thanks to Google’s software backing. The Google Assistant responds better than most of my past co, drivers, pulling up routes and setting temperature with no fuss.
But what’s the deal with three stalks on the right of the wheel? Gear selector, wipers, and audio controls all stacked, it’s like someone dumped a parts bin onto the steering column. Also, the digital instrument cluster is stuffed with info, which is great if you’re flying a plane but overkill when you’re just trying to check your speed.
Hybrid Heart, But Not a Rocket
The Merkur climb is a test of torque and smoothness. It’s a route I’ve used before to push sportbikes and stiffly sprung roadsters. The Rafale? It’s not a sports car, but it held its own. Under the hood is a 1.2, liter three, cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, joined by two electric motors. Together they make up 147 kW (200 hp) of system output. It’s a full hybrid setup, not plug, in on this variant, and it’s focused on efficiency.
At low speeds, the Rafale glides in EV mode almost silently. Cruising through the town of Baden, Baden, I didn’t use a drop of fuel for almost 15 minutes. Renault claims up to 80% electric driving in urban settings, and I believe it.
Out on the winding climb, the petrol engine kicked in with a grumble, not quite refined, but not coarse either. There’s enough pull between 60 and 100 km/h to overtake confidently. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h? 8.9 seconds. Respectable. Not thrilling, but never sluggish.
The gearbox, multi, mode and technically complex, is mostly smooth, but occasionally second, guesses itself, especially during mid, throttle climbs. It doesn’t quite have the seamless flow of a dual, clutch or the robust character of a CVT tuned for performance.
Four, Wheel Steering Makes It Dance
This is where the Rafale surprised me. Rear, wheel steering on a mid, size SUV? Renault’s engineers didn’t just bolt it on, they tuned it beautifully. On narrow switchbacks near the Merkur tower, I felt the rear axle subtly swing around corners, making the Rafale feel shorter and more agile than its size suggests.
The turning circle of just over 11 meters (factory claims 10.4) makes city driving and parking in cramped spots way easier. During quick lane changes at Autobahn speeds, the rear, wheel steering adds stability instead of twitchiness. The ADAC slalom test numbers were good, but real, world twisties showed me this wasn’t just a comfort, focused cruiser. It actually enjoys being steered.
Real Space, Real Use
Being an SUV coupe, you expect compromises. Sloping roofline, small trunk, cramped rear. But no, Renault has done its homework here. I loaded the back with my camera gear, a folded travel bike frame, and my hiking pack, and still had room to spare.
The spec sheet says 627 liters of trunk space. With the seats down, up to 1,910 liters. I didn’t need that much, but it’s reassuring. The high loading sill (82 cm) is annoying if you’re lifting heavy stuff, but once inside, space is smartly organized.
Rear passengers? I had two six, foot, tall friends with me for a part of the journey. They were surprised, not just enough headroom but generous legroom. Rear climate controls, USB, C ports, and a clever tablet holder in the armrest made it a comfortable ride. The only caveat? The all, black roof lining without the glass roof can feel claustrophobic.
Features That Impress (and Some That Don’t)
I drove the “Esprit Alpine” trim, which packs in the tech and flair: dimmable roof, unique grille, embroidered seats, Alcantara surfaces with tricolor stitching. It feels premium, even if some plastics lower down remind you this is still a Renault, not a Range Rover.
Adaptive cruise control works well. It kept smooth distances even during abrupt Autobahn traffic. The blind spot warning with steering assist is subtle, not overbearing. Traffic sign recognition, emergency braking, and a fatigue alert system are all onboard.
But visibility? Not great. The sloping rear window and thick pillars mean you’ll rely heavily on cameras and sensors. Thankfully, the 360, degree view and clear rear cam help.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Renault Rafale E, Tech Full Hybrid 200 Esprit Alpine |
| Engine Type | Full Hybrid |
| Combustion Engine | 1.2L 3, cylinder turbocharged petrol |
| Power (System) | 147 kW / 200 hp |
| Electric Motors | 50 kW main motor + 25 kW starter/generator |
| 0, 100 km/h | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h |
| Transmission | Multi, mode automatic |
| Drive | Front, wheel drive |
| CO2 (WLTP) | 106 g/km |
| Fuel Consumption (WLTP) | 4.7 l/100 km |
| Fuel Consumption (Tested) | 5.7 l/100 km |
| Battery Capacity | 1.7 kWh |
| Trunk Volume | 627 liters (max 1,910 liters with seats down) |
| Length x Width x Height | 4,710 mm x 1,886 mm x 1,613 mm |
| Towing Capacity (Braked) | 1,500 kg |
| Price (Base / Esprit Alpine) | €43,800 / €48,300 |
Final Thoughts: A Car With Intent
As I pulled back into town after a day on Merkur’s roads, I realized something important: the Rafale doesn’t need to scream to make its point. It’s a hybrid SUV coupe that dares to balance design, innovation, and everyday usability.
Is it perfect? No. The transmission could be more refined. Rear visibility needs help. And it doesn’t quite deliver on “sports coupe” performance. But it’s genuine. The fuel efficiency is real. The hybrid system is smart. The cabin feels future, ready without being cold.
For a brand that was once overshadowed in the SUV space, Renault has finally built something at the top that deserves attention. And maybe, just maybe, deserves that jet, inspired name.
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